In the society that we now find ourselves in, Republicans are offended by Democrats, Democrats are offended by Republicans; gays are offended by straights, straights are offended by gays; black are offended by whites and whites are offended by blacks; men are offended by women and women offended by men, Christians are offended by non-Christians and vice-versa; and on and on and on….. GET A GRIP PEOPLE AND GET OVER BEING OFFENDED!

At this rate, who and what are we not going to be offended by?

I learned this week that I am supposed to be offended by a Christmas song; one that I have listened to my whole life and never knew was evidently about a man “supposedly” trying to sexually assault a woman. I just thought it was a cute song about a man trying to get a woman he was dating to try to spend some time with him.

If you look at the internet, everything is a conspiracy, who knew that every agency created to protect and defend the Constitution was now a left-wing conspiracy group designed to bring down the government… who knew? Evidently, the internet taught us that. Thanks internet!?!?!?

We all have crap in our lives, crap that sometimes makes it hard just to put your feet on the floor in the mornings and get moving, but we do it and most of us do it in private. We don’t have the need to share with the world what offends us and demand others be offended too.

In our world of being offended, we now have co-workers afraid to get into an elevator with someone of the opposite sex because of what may be said. REALLY? It’s an elevator going between the 3rd and 5th floor.

How about we all just take a breath, grow up a little and live our own lives without trying to bring everyone else along with our “being offended” mentality.

You know what offends me? You being offended and expecting me to care!

There is a guy in my town who moved here because he loves it so much. He opened a successful business and has done very well. But now, he is offended by other businesses moving into town who he doesn’t agree with politically. He now wants to homogenize our little corner of God’s Country into the way HE thinks it should be…. here’s a history lesson for you,…. we were this way before you ever moved here and will be long after you leave, take the offended entitlement and move on!

Is there stuff in our world that offends me…. you bet! But guess what, I’m not asking you to be offended by it too…. I’ll just not listen to the music that offends me, or patronize a business that I don’t agree with or vote for a candidate who doesn’t represent my views on how I think our world should be operated. But I’m not going to expect you to feel the same.

2018, is almost over, it has proven to be the year of “I’m offended,” on all sides….. here’s an idea, in 2019, let’s all put on our big boy and girl pants and grow the eff up!

My niece Chelsea is getting married next Saturday. I have dreamed of this day since she was born. Not just the wedding but a lifetime of happiness that she would find my marrying her Prince Charming.

Chelsea has found her guy and together they will bring their two daughters together to form a new family.

Ever since she was a little girl, Chelsea has been an independent, strong-willed mix of tomboy and girly-girl and she has found the perfect guy to embrace everything that she will bring to a marriage.

I have always heard that girls marry their fathers, well Chelsea is definitely doing that. Brett, the groom, is a know everything, right-wing, sports loving, debating, strong willed guy just like his future father-in-law. More importantly, like his father-in-law, he is a hardworking, protective, dedicated family man who will move mountains for those he loves.

We are fortunate that Chelsea found Brett and thankful for the family he will bring with him. His mom, Baboo and daughter Jaydynn complete us.

Chelsea and Brett have a great relationship that is built on love, respect and commitment, values that I know will carry them into old age. They both have strong alpha personalities, so that love and respect will come in handy when paired with their stubborn streaks.

Brett’s only real downfall is that he is a Georgia Tech fan, but we are working on that and know that soon he will see the error of his ways and come into the light, we’re a DAWGS family and have a hard time comprehending blue and gold over Red and Black!

As the days grow close to their wedding, I am sentimental about the little girl who has overcome challenges, excelled as a mom and flourished through life. I am proud of the woman Chelsea has grown into and look forward to seeing her in this next chapter.

The wedding will be beautiful, sitting on the banks of a river with all of Chelsea’s touches making the day special.

As they walk down the aisle to marriage, I hope they both think about those who have lifted them up through life. The ones who celebrate their marriage in heaven and those who will be with them on their day.

I pray Chelsea and Brett have a lifetime of happiness and their girls, Jaydynn and Hadley know that they were chosen in love and good fortune.

I wish nothing more than a world of happiness for Chelsea and Brett. There will be great times and difficult times for them to maneuver through the next 50 years of their lives together, but when their commitment is built on God, family, love and mutual respect there is nothing they can’t overcome together.

Except maybe that Georgia Tech thing….. he REALLY needs to fix that quickly!

Cheers to Brett and Chelsea, may your lives be filled with adventure and I pray the happiness you find as you approach your wedding will carry you through all the days of your lives.

On this date, back in 1990, the good Lord allowed me to begin the most rewarding role I have ever had in life….. Uncle.

Early in the afternoon of May 8th, 1990, Chelsea Leigh Rumsey entered the world and turned our families hearts upside down. With her first breath, she had us all wrapped around her finger.

For the last 28 years she has taken life by the horns and gone for a wild ride. It hasn’t always been perfect, but whose life is, what is important is Chelsea has relied on her family and trust in God to make it through the good times as much as the difficult ones.

Chelsea is a strong, sensitive, cuss like a sailor, business woman, tomboy, make-up loving, jewelry wearing, fashionable, creative, family loving, smiling, Jeep driving, never give up lady and as she has grown, she has been a wonderful niece and now I am honored to say one of my best friends.

Four years ago, Chelsea brought another joy into our lives when she became a mom to Hadley Rae, I have watched her grow as a mom and look forward to seeing her in her next role as wife.

Chelsea, my advice for you today, on your birthday, is the same as it has always been, DREAM BIG, don’t ever let anyone or anything stop you from realizing your dreams.

I wish you a lifetime of joy and know you will continue to find your resting place with God and family.

Happy Birthday sweet girl and thank you for giving me the title I cherish above all others, Uncle.